Best Baby Swing 2018

Last Updated: Sep 12, 2018 @ 8:06 pm. The Best Baby Swing 2018. “Oy, have I got a crick in the neck!” Yes, testing baby swings can be like watching a tennis match that goes on all day, but it’s all in the name of science. Our top pick for Best Swing Overall is the Fisher-Price Cradle ‘n Swing.

After reviewing and testing swings for 20 years, we’ve come to the conclusion that Fisher-Price is the best bet here. The Fisher-Price Cradle ‘n Swing allows for both side-to-side and front-back motion, three seat positions and a plush seat. There are six speeds, eight musical tunes and two-position seat recline.

FYI: Fisher Price makes many different versions of this swing in prices that range from $120 to $160—the difference is typically fashion. They go by names like Snugabear, Snugapuppy and soon.

Readers like the quiet motor and music tunes, which aren’t as obnoxious as other swings.  A few dissenters say the swing broke after a short period of use (a month, for example)—however, Fisher-Price’s customer service is responsive and solves issues.

We’ve also seen a few reports of defective swings that are dead on arrival or have loud motors that make a clicking sound. This appears to be a rare occurrence. To be safe, be sure to buy from a retailer with an easy return policy. And if you are buying this swing second-hand, be sure to test it before driving home (hint: take four fresh D-batteries with you to test it in case there is no power outlet handy).

Finally, we should note one final drawback: as you can probably judge from the picture below, this swing takes a LARGE amount of floor space. At its widest point when set up, it takes up 37″ of space!

Planning some travel and need a swing that’s portable? Scroll down to find our top pick for Best Portable Swing.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing swings and other gear since 2005. In addition to hands on testing of swings, we have combed the research about reliability and safety. We also evaluate consumer reviews posted on sites like Amazon, as well as our own message boards.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Baby Bargains is your independent and unbiased source for expert baby gear reviews. We’ve been writing and reviewing baby gear since 1994. Yes, that long!

How we picked a winner

We evaluate swings with in-depth inspections, checking models for overall quality and ease of use—for example, testing in at different speeds, clocking how long batteries last and more. We also gather significant reader feedback (our book, Baby Bargains has over 1 million copies in print), tracking swings on quality and durability. Besides interviewing parents, we also regularly talk with baby gear retailers to see which brands are most trustworthy and other key quality metrics.